Summer movies are fading fast and here come the more substantial Fall Flicks. Top pick of this (or any) week is the just beginning STORY OF FILM: AN ODYSSEY which starts up Thursday 6 Sept at the SIFF Cinema---every Thursday during September they will be showing a three hour segment of the most comprehensive and fascinating documentary every seen about the history of world cinema, starting from the early 1900's up to the present. Many many film clips and talking heads keep the interest soaring. In a way, it is frustrating to watch, because the subject of "film" is so incredibly large that the director Mark Cousins can only touch briefly on most films and genres and directors, and your favorites may seem to get a short shift. But the most important aspect of this 15 hour long documentary is that it makes you want to see (perhaps for the first time) or revisit some of these great cinematic masterworks. Exhausting and Exhilarating and Highly Recommended. GRADE-------A
Another example of life being stranger than fiction, SEARCHING FOR SUGARMAN documents the search for an unsung Detroit recording artist from the early 1970's who, although he was never a financial success in the US, incredibly became a huge sensation in South Africa before dropping out of sight completely. Rumor had it he had committed suicide on stage during a live performance. No one--even the record labels who produced his two albums--knew what had happened to him. The singer/songwriter's name is Rodriguez, and he sounds a lot like Bob Dylan. His story is fascinating and surprising, and the film generates a huge emotional pull, and it makes me want to hear more music from this pop/folk singer sensation. GRADE--------B+
I can't image the generic title and theme of moonshiners in the 1920's Depression will generate a lot of box-office, but the cast of LAWLESS is so very strong that the film transcends it's subject matter and becomes a thrilling and entertaining period piece. Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, Guy Pierce, Jessica Chastain and Mia Wasikowska head an excellent cast. GRADE-------B+
The comedy SLEEPWALK WITH ME plays like a low key Woody Allen film, amusing but without as much wit. Based on a radio show by Mike Birbiglia, who has showcased it as a one man show, SLEEPWALK WITH ME takes it's title literally, as it tells of a young man with sleep disorders, who can't seem to commit to his long time girlfriend. I enjoyed the film, but it doesn't really amount to much. GRADE-------B-
Just who is the intended audience for PARANORMAN? This animated feature about a young teen who can see and talk to the dead, and is recruited to fight zombies who are raised from the dead comes with all the cliches of the rash of zombie comedies of recent years, and the ending is particularly lame. There are a few clever moments, but the action is nearly bloodless (a PG rating for families????) and it is tired stuff. GRADE-------C+
An interesting international cast headed by Jude Law, Rachel Weisz, Anthony Hopkins et al, seem wasted and otherwise lost in the LA RONDE (1950) inspired romantic thriller where each scene leads you to another scene with just one or two actors carried over--to illustrate how life is connected. Previous versions of this theme usually involve love and sex, and this film called 3 6 0 has some of that, too, but it is very mean spirited and harsh. A happily married man contemplates being unfaithful, then returns home to his wife who is indeed having an affair. In another subplot, the theme is sexual slavery, and in another an innocent tries to hook up with a sexual predator. It is competently filmed, but rather unsavory and sad. GRADE------C+
DVD CHOICES-----------
A great and prolific director, Sidney Lumet died last April. He had made over 40 films and directed dozens of live (and otherwise) TV dramas, where he started in the 1950's. He had a way with great, talkative scripts, and led dozens of actors to Oscar nominations and Oscar wins. His filmography is filled with incredible classic films. Here are some of them: 12 ANGRY MEN (1957), FUGITIVE KIND (1959), LONG DAYS JOURNEY INTO NIGHT (1962), THE PAWNBROKER (1964), FAIL SAFE (1964), THE HILL (1965), SERPICO (1973), DOG DAY AFTERNOON (1975), NETWORK (1976), THE VERDICT (1982), THE MORNING AFTER (1986), RUNNING ON EMPTY (1988), and BEFORE THE DEVIL KNOWS YOU'RE DEAD (2007).
Even some of his "misses" like CHILD'S PLAY (1972), THE WIZ (1978), JUST TELL ME WHAT YOU WANT (1980) and GLORIA (1999) have their fans, and are certainly very watchable in their own way. I saw the unusual caper movie THE ANDERSON TAPES (1971) which recently came out on DVD. Starring one of Lumet's favorite actors Sean Connery (see also THE HILL, THE OFFENCE (1972), MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (1974) and FAMILY BUSINESS (1989) for the others). In spite of some dated touches like the jazzy Quincy Jones score, and some very homophobic and racist and sexist comments, THE ANDERSON TAPES is very interesting and satisfying, and was a hit in its day. GRADE-----B
THE GREEN HORNET (2011) got a lot of criticism last year, but I found it to be a fresh, youthful, irrelevant take on the superhero milieu. In spite of the fact it made over 250 million dollars world-wide, apparently there will be no sequel in the near future. Too bad. It's a funny, smart alec film, even on second viewing. GRADE------B-
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